Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Joint Communique Signed between M/O Tribal Affairs and M/O Food Processing Industries Defining Convergence Mechanism in Implementation of PMFME Scheme for Micro Food Processing Industries
A “Joint Communique” was signed by Shri Deepak Khandekar, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and SmtPushpaSubrahmanyam, Secretary, Ministry of Minister for Food Processing Industries today in the presence of Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Food Processing;Shri Arjun Munda, Minister of Tribal Affairs and Shri RameshwarTeli, Minister of State for Food Processing. The Joint communique addressed to Statesclearly defining Convergence mechanism in implementation of Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises  Scheme of MoFPI and role of both Central Ministries and their respective departments at State level.
Addressing on the occasion, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar said that the Government believes in the principle of balanced and holistic growth. On one hand, the micro and small enterprises need government support for their growth and at the same time, it is also the duty of the government to ensure that the benefit of government schemes percolates to the grassroot level. And MoFPI is taking major steps in that direction, the Minister highlighted. The MoU signed today will help in capacity building for setting up micro food processing enterprises and also promote Vocal for Local, the Minister said.
Shri Arjun Munda, in his address, said that it is the endeavour of the government to bring out the initiative of the people living in less developed areas. The tribal areas are rich in raw material and natural resources but do not have the platform and the linkages for processing their forest produce. With the help of this MoU, it will now be possible to process the tribal produce, give it a marketable form and create proper linkages so that the product reaches the people who require it. TRIFED of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is closely associated in this entire chain of value addition and marketing of tribal products and will be working actively for setting up the micro food processing enterprises. The MoU between the two ministries will help in better utilistaion of funds by MoFPI allotted under the STC to various Central ministries
MoS Food Processing Industries, Shri RameswarTeli said that the MoUs will strengthen market platforms for tribals and will give a boost to food processing.
The features of ‘Joint Communique’ are as under:
Prime Minister Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises  Scheme.The schemebeing implemented by MoFPIis a landmark initiative under AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan to support Micro Level Food Entrepreneurs, FPOs/SHGs/ Co- operatives. The program has four major components i.e., Support to individual and groups of micro enterprises; Branding and Marketing support; Strengthening institutional support and setting up robust project management frameworks with Tribal Sub plan being one of the important elements.M/oFood Processing Industries would fund for development by incubation centers in tribal focused districts under PMFME Scheme for common processing and training to tribal entrepreneurs. PMFME Scheme provides for seed capital of up to Rs.40000/- to be given to members of SHGs and others engaged in food processing for working capital and purchase of tools.
M/oTribal Affairs  would identify the tribal enterprises and groups  in food processing sector including minor forest produce.MoTA through state, district and field level staff would train and build capacity for supporting and handholding of identified beneficiaries to be benefitted under PMFME scheme.TRIFED would provide handholding support to Tribal SHGs and Van Dhan SHG groups and their members in preparation of DPRs, application process, getting necessary technical training, etc. so as to enable them to benefit from various provisions under PMFME scheme including for capital investment. MoFPI and MoTA will review the status and implementation modalities from time to time.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the nodal Ministry for the welfare of tribals. At the same time, there are 37 other Ministries, who have to spend assigned percentage of their budget as per mechanism designed by NITI Aayog, under Tribal sub Plan or Schedule Tribe Component  for welfare of tribals. NITI Aayog and M/o Tribal Affairs have been monitoring STC component of such Ministries regularly as per the mandate given to the MoTA in 2017.The present collaboration between MoFPIand MoTA will go a long way in socio-economic development of STs across the country and strengthen STC mechanism.